Traveling from Atlanta to Austin covers 322 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 37 minutes of driving time. Because this journey stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can easily complete the trip in a single day, though you should budget approximately $49 for fuel. Your path begins on local roads like North Wood Street and West Broadway Street before transitioning to Highway 271. This route is best suited for those who prefer a steady, manageable pace rather than a high-speed interstate sprint. Since the entire trip is a single-day commitment, it offers plenty of flexibility for your departure time. It is a straightforward drive that connects two distinct Texas locales without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
161 miles from Atlanta, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
TX 155
66.2 mi
1h 15m
I 35
55.8 mi
58m
Purple Heart Trail
40.3 mi
42m
State Highway 31 East
30.9 mi
35m
West State Highway 31
18.8 mi
21m
State Highway 31
17.2 mi
17m
Corsicana Bypass
11.8 mi
13m
US 59
11.1 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
TX 155
— 66.2 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlanta, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on FM 249
3.3 mi·4 min·East Main Street
2
Continue on US 59
11 mi·12 min·US 59
3
Turn right onto TX 155
40 mi·45 min·TX 155
4
Turn left onto US 271; TX 155
1.5 mi·1 min·North Wood Street
5
Turn straight onto TX 155
13 mi·15 min·TX 155
6
Turn right onto US 80; TX 155
0.9 mi·1 min·West Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto TX 155
13 mi·14 min·TX 155
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto US 271; TX 155
4.8 mi·5 min·US Highway 271
9
Turn right onto Loop 323
1.6 mi·2 min·East Northeast Loop 323
10
Continue on Loop 323
4.3 mi·6 min·West Northwest Loop 323
11
Continue on Loop 323
0.6 mi·43 sec·South Southwest Loop 323
12
Turn right onto TX 31
1.6 mi·1 min·Chandler Highway
13
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi·6 min·State Highway 31 West
14
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi·2 min·East Highway 31
15
Continue on TX 31
21 mi·23 min·State Highway 31 East
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
17
Merge onto US 175; TX 19; TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi·7 min·Jed Robinson Loop
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
19
Keep slight left at fork
445 ft·14 sec
20
Turn right onto TX 31
4.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 31 West
21
Continue on TX 31
5.4 mi·6 min·East Royall Boulevard
22
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi·11 min·State Highway 31 East
23
Continue on TX 31
9.3 mi·10 min·Northwest 2nd Street
24
Turn left onto TX 31
12 mi·13 min·Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
25
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi·21 min·West State Highway 31
26
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi·5 min·Hubbard Bypass
27
Continue on TX 31
17 mi·17 min·State Highway 31
28
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi·2 min·East US Highway 84
29
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi·4 min·Bellmead Drive
30
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi·1 min·East Waco Drive
31
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft·12 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
32
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
33
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi·6 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
2.4 mi·3 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 234BToward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson UniversityUse the slight right lane.
38
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
40
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft·17 sec·Congress Avenue
41
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft·0 sec·East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
42
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
To keep your 5-hour and 37-minute journey comfortable, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since you are looking at a $49 fuel budget, it is smart to check your tank levels before leaving Atlanta to avoid paying premium prices in smaller, isolated areas. Given the turn-heavy nature of this 322-mile route, try to depart early in the morning to ensure you reach Austin before the evening traffic picks up. Focus on staying alert during the frequent turns, as the local road navigation requires more concentration than a standard freeway drive. Keep your GPS updated and ready, as the reliance on local streets means you will be making more maneuvers than you would on a typical interstate trip.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161 miles from Atlanta, TX, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 71 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161 miles or 3h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Atlanta, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Atlanta, TX
This is one driving day of about 321.9 miles and 6h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Atlanta, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on TX 155 for about 66.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 159.7 and 321.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
159.7 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Turn left onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
262.7 mi into trip|~5h in|I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
318.5 mi into trip|~5h 58m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
8
321 mi into trip|~6h 1m in
Take the exit toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson Univer...
7
321.9 mi into trip|~6h 4m in|East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.64 one way
$97.28 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$53.24
$106.48
premium
$4.54
$57.47
$114.95
diesel
$5.61
$71.07
$142.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.6
1
$33.80
$15.45
Efficient EV
80.5
0
$28.17
$12.88
EV Truck/SUV
128.8
1
$45.07
$20.60
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Atlanta, TX
Night
in Atlanta on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Austin, TX
Night
in Austin on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
11 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 4m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy, local experience rather than a monotonous highway slog, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate through local roads and Highway 271, requiring your full attention behind the wheel as you manage constant directional changes. Because this is a technical, local-focused drive, you won't find long stretches of high-speed cruising. Instead, the character of the road changes frequently as you transition between local streets and rural highway sections. Be prepared for a more engaged driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over the convenience of a major interstate system.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.2 mi on TX 155.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 155 and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 159.7 miles in near TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 321.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 159.7 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 262.7 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 318.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Austin is a city of about 1,054,000 (2026) surpassing Fort Worth to become the 4th most populous city in Texas. It is on the southeast edge of the Hill Country region of Texas, making it the fourth-largest city in the state and the 11th-largest in the country. It is the capital of Texas and a college town, and also a center of an alternative culture away from the major cities on the US coasts, though the city is rapidly gentrifying with its rising popularity. Austin's attitude is commonly emblazoned about town on T-shirts and bumper stickers that read: "Keep Austin Weird." Austin is also marketed as the Live Music Capital of the World due to the large number of venues.
Top landmarks
•Texas State Capitol — capitol and seat of government of the U.S. state of Texas
•Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in Austin,...
•Texas State Cemetery — historic cemetery in Austin, Texas, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 4m. Total distance: 321.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.2 miles on TX 155. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Austin, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 159.7 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 262.7 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 318.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Austin, TX before the return drive.
